CES And COMDEX Announce Strategic Alliance To Address Convergent Industries.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 14, 1996--The Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association (CEMA) and SOFTBANK COMDEX Inc. announced today the formation of a strategic partnership in response to the accelerating convergence of technologies flowing through the retail channel. As part of this new initiative, Spring CES and COMDEX/Spring '97 will co-locate beginning in Atlanta, June 2-5, 1997.

The two organizations also announced the creation of a new trade show and conference specifically developed to address the convergent marketplace. This newly announced venture, yet to be named, will be held alongside the combined Spring event beginning in Atlanta, June 2-5, 1997. CES and COMDEX will each continue to market and sell their respective events while the new trade show and conference will be marketed and sold jointly by both organizations. SOFTBANK COMDEX will handle the operational aspects for all three events.

In making this announcement, CEMA president Gary Shapiro declared, "Today we launch a mega-event. Two of the industry's major trade shows will be held simultaneously and a third new show is being created to address the changing needs of the existing retail channel, as well as those of the emerging new channels. As the crossover between the consumer electronics and computer industries has increasingly grown -- so has the industry's need for one consolidated Spring event which will serve both industries."

Jason Chudnofsky, president and CEO of SOFTBANK COMDEX, added, "By bringing together the power of COMDEX and CES, we will better service a global industry whose needs have become more diverse because of emerging technologies and merging channels of distribution. Clearly, by joining these two events, and creating this new show, we present the ideal venue by which to market and address the requirements of the consumer electronics, computer and communications industries, collectively."

Each of the three trade shows represented in this mega-event, while maintaining their individual focus, will enhance the others and and thereby provide exhibitors and attendees with new business opportunities. Attendees to any one of the trade shows will gain the full benefit of the combined events at no additional cost.

This joint venture brings together two of the world's most respected and powerful names in the technology trade events. In 1996 and 1997, SOFTBANK COMDEX will produce over 40 events in North America, South America, Europe and Asia, expected to include over 7,000 exhibiting companies and attract more than one million attendees from over 120 countries.

COMDEX/Fall, first held in Las Vegas in 1979, is now the largest trade show in North America. In addition to Spring CES, the International Winter CES is the world's largest consumer electronics trade show, and the nation's largest association-run show. The International CES sponsor, CEMA is a sector of the Electronic Industries Association, the nation's premiere trade association representing all facets of the electronics industries.

WINDOWS WORLD, an event developed and produced in cooperation with Microsoft Corporation, will continue to run concurrently with COMDEX/Spring. COMDEX/Spring and WINDOWS WORLD will be held this year on June 3-6, 1996, at McCormick Place, Chicago.

The CES traditionally held in Spring for many years has been called the Summer CES. In 1996 the show name was changed to CES Orlando... The Digital Destination, to better reflect the products being showcased. CES Orlando '96 will be held May 23-25, 1996, at the Orange County Convention Center, in Orlando, Fla.

CONTACT: SOFTBANK COMDEX

Suzanne Lonergan, 617/433-1755

[e-mail]

or

CEMA

Cynthia Upson, 703/907-7665

[e-mail]

Tracy Curtin, 703/907-7952

[e-mail]